Lamarr Houston takes home AFC defensive player of the week

The Raiders came from behind to beat the Jaguars 26-23 in overtime last Sunday and one of the drivers of that victory has been recognized for his efforts in making it happen.

Defensive end Lamarr Houston has been named the AFC defensive player of the week for the first time in his career. Houston forced a fumble by Jaguars wide receiver Cecil Shorts in overtime that Joselio Hanson recovered to help the Raiders get in position for Sebastian Janikowski’s game-winning field goal.

Houston had several other key plays in the game, including a sack of Jaguars quarterback Chad Henne and a couple of stuffs of Rashad Jennings that got in the way of the Jaguars extending or regaining their lead. He finished the day with seven tackles and a pair of quarterback pressures in addition to the sack and forced fumble.

Houston, a second-round pick in 2010, has started every game for the Raiders this season. Sunday’s performance was his most prolific and the Raiders defense will stand a chance of distancing itself from poor early season performances if Houston can deliver more like it in the weeks to come.

The future of the RAIDERS D-Line: Houston, Shaugnessy, Bryant w/ Bilukidi and Crawford being groomed for 2013.

Big Reg is handling things well- i.e. Doing the best with what he has to work with. It’s a weak division, if the RAIDERS win the games they are supposed to then it will work out. Coming from behind to beat jacksonville was OK, burying them by halftime would have been better.

If the RAIDERS struggle with the chiefs…. Well, now that would be a problem…

This guy get’s it. His hustle and determination is well documented. However, his hair dresser needs a slap upside the head. That yellow patch on the front of Houston’s head is one of those “things that make you go hmmm”.